This morning we head to the beach at low tide so that we can find and observe ocean creatures in the tide pools. As we get to the beach it is very foggy. In fact, most mornings have been foggy here. It adds to the mystic allure, but does not provide great views.
We begin to climb out on the rocks. I am surprised about the number of sea creatures. We counted over 50 starfish alone. This is a hazardous little adventure many of these rocks are very slippery, and many of the rocks have very sharp sea barnacles.

Overall, I like Northern California better than the rest of the state. Besides the amazing national parks in the south, it is prettier, greener here. As for hiking, there is not as much variety. There are no mountain peaks, but you can hike the coast. Most of the trails are through these wonderful Redwoods.

In the morning, before my family is awake. I head outside and am greeted with two elk right in front of our house. These are big, majestic animals. I watch them as they barely take a notice of me. Yesterday, when we arrived, we were greeted with an Elk so Amber, Eli and Josh have already seen these wonderful creatures. Yesterday, Josh and I also played in the creek behind the house.

Today, we leave Lassen Volcano and travel to Redwoods National and State Parks. Before arriving in California, this was one of the parks I was most excited to see, a forest of 350 feet trees. In Star Wars, Return of the Jedi, Endor’s forest moon (with the Ewoks) was filmed in this area. As we drive to Redwoods, for whatever reason, I begin to think about following Christ.

Today, we see more up close volcano shaped landscapes. First, we travel to an underground tunnel created by lava flow. As I have said, our boys love to climb in caves, but this cave is different. Nothing to climb, just a straight tube hollowed out by lava. It’s a short trail, but long enough to need flashlights and very interesting. This was a nice excursion on the way to today’s hike, Cinder Cone Trail.

Yesterday, was one of the longer drives between parks, but Lassen Volcanic Park was definitely my surprise park of the trip. I may even place this as my #1 park in California. This national park contains 4 different types of volcanos with Lassen Peak/Volcano towering over everything at over 10,000 feet. Just before, we arrived, to our surprise, Amber informed us that the road through the park is still closed because of snow.

We are back in a drier and warmer climate (but not as warm as Death Valley and Joshua Tree). Pinnacles National Park did not become a National Park until 2013. It’s named for this unique mountain formation called (you guessed it) pinnacles. Here, we hike a total of 6 plus miles over two different trails. Starting first (in the relative morning) with the Pinnacles loop as it’s exposed to the sun.

Today, is our last morning in Yosemite. With it being Sunday, we attend church in the Yosemite Chapel. The service definitely does not cater to a tourist crowd with its 1 1/2 hour length. There is a small crowd, but it is good to be in church and fellowship with others. The preacher plays guitar providing music for the classic hymns. He preaches on the importance of practicing love at home between husband and wife, parent and child. This, he states is the beginning of a more peaceful world. If we can learn how to truly love, forgive, submit, and care for each other at home.

The big hike has arrived. The Mist trail is the signature trail of Yosemite National Park. If you were to hike all the way to the top of Half Dome (Amber will not allow us), this trail is your route there. It’s called the Mist trail because you hike next to two roaring waterfalls that will get you wet. Many people wear ponchos. The round trip hike, using the John Muir trail back, is a 6 mile streneous hike with a 2000 feet elevation change. Amber’s back is feeling ok. She still plans to go the first 0.8 miles to the base of Vernal falls. Again, like rafting, it’s an adventure just to get there. We get to the correct parking area, but national park workers do not allow us to enter sending up back to where we started.